My initial reaction: OMG! Mizzou in the top 5?????? YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!!

What to make of the standings/my calmed down reaction: This looks like a year where one loss WILL eliminate you from NC contention. Right now, we have 10 undefeated teams, including all top 5 teams. Here's 5 observations from this weeks top 5.

1. Alabama controls its own destiny: As long as Alabama can win its games and win the SEC championship game, they should not have to worry about anything.

2. Florida State over Oregon is a fluke in the long run: This is where the main controversy is. Many people can't understand why Florida State is currently ahead of Oregon for the number two spot. Don't worry, this isn't permanent. Florida State leads Oregon right now because the Seminoles hold a HUGE lead in the computer polls (1st vs. 4th). Oregon still has games against UCLA and Stanford coming up. If Oregon wins these two games, they will leapfrog Florida State for the number 2 spot.

3. Ohio State needs a lot of help: Ohio state comes into the rankings 4th. The computers have Ohio State 5th, including being ranked 8th by both Kenneth Massey and Jeff Sagarin. Unfortunately, Ohio State doesn't have many more games against top-notch opponents to help boost their resume. Their best game is the last game of the season at the Big House. The Buckeyes are going to need a loss from 2 of the top 3 teams in order in make it into the championship game, and even that may not be enough.

4. Missouri just needs to win: After two straight wins against ranked opponents, Missouri just needs to keep on winning. Although they are 6th in the Harris poll and 7th in the Coaches poll, the computers love Mizzou, ranking them in 3rd. If Mizzou can run the table, I imagine them overtaking Ohio State based on their strength of schedule, of SOS. If they do that, then can go to the SEC championship game against an undefeated, #1 Alabama team and win, They may be able to use their ranked victories (which would be at 5 if the rankings hold) and may jump yet another team to get into the BCS National Championship Game.

5. One-Loss isn't going to cut it for a NC bid: With Stanford coming into the rankings at number 6, more undefeated teams will need to lose ahead of Stanford in order for them to be considered in the NC talk. At the moment, you will need to go undefeated in order to be considered for the national championship game, and I see that being the case the rest of the season.

Early Prediction: Alabama V. Oregon: I think Alabama will run the table right now and will make it into the NC game against Oregon, who I also see running the table. Florida State will finish 13-0, but be held back by the ACC, Ohio State won't be considered because of the Big-10, and although it pains me to say this, I see a loss in Mizzou's future, whether that be at Ole Miss or at the SEC championship game. However, all 5 of these teams should be in serious conversations about BCS bowl games right now.